Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Friday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds meet at Great American Ball Park.
The Pirates will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Jeff Karstens in this game. Karstens has a 0-0 record and a 0.00 ERA this season.
The Reds will counter Karstens with Johnny Cueto. Righthander Cueto has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 0-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Reds listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Pirates lost 2-1 in the series finale to the Cardinals last time out, as +190 underdogs. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Ross Ohlendorf had a no-hitter ruined in the sixth-inning, giving up two runs off seven hits in taking the loss.
Joey Votto belted a three-run dinger and drove in four runs as the Reds defeated the Mets 8-6 on Thursday to avoid a three-game sweep at home. The Reds won the game as +105 underdogs, while the game's 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
Paul Janish hit a two-run single for the Reds. Bronson Arroyo tossed six innings and gave up five runs off eight hits for the win, and Francisco Cordero notched the save.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 2-2 SU
Cincinnati: 1-2 SU
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Cincinnati are 5-5
After playing St. Louis are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Cincinnati most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After playing NY Mets are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Pittsburgh is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Cincinnati is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Next up:
Cincinnati home to Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11